







In English we use the present simple tense to talk about facts or things that are always true, as well as things in general. Present simple is also used to talk about a repeated action such as a habit, a hobby, a daily event, a scheduled event or something that often happens.
In English we use 'do' and 'does' as auxiliary verbs in negatives and questions and we often use the present simple with adverbs of frequency such as sometimes, always, often, never, usually, rarely, and hardly ever.
Notes for use of present simple :
In the third person, ‘s’ is added to the verb form. For example;
work --> works
run --> runs
live --> lives
For verbs that end in 'o', 'sh', 'ch', 's' and 'x', we add 'es' to the verb form. For example;
go --> goes
wish --> wishes
watch --> watches
kiss --> kisses
fax --> faxes
For verbs that end in a consonant + 'y', we change the 'y' to 'i' and add 'es'. For example;
try --> tries
study --> studies
The table below shows the different forms of present simple :
Example Verb : Work | I / You / We / They | He / She / It |
| Positive | ... work. | ... works. |
| Negative | ... don't work. | ... doesn't work. |
Questions | Do ... work? | Does ... work? |
| Short answers | Yes, ... do. / No, ... don't. | Yes, ... does. / No, ... doesn't. |
For the verb 'to be' we use 'am', 'is', 'are' in the present simple. No auxiliary verbs are used in negative sentences and questions.
Verb: Be | I | You / We / They | He / She / It |
| Positive | I'm ... | ... 're ... | ... 's ... |
| Negative | I'm not ... | ... aren't ... | ... isn't ... |
| Questions | Am I ... ? | Are ... ...? | Is ... ...? |
| Short answers | Yes, I am. / No, I'm not. | Yes, ... are. / No, ... aren't. | Yes, ... is. / No, ... isn't. |
Present Simple Example Sentences :
Positive Examples of Present Simple :
Negative Examples of Present Simple :
Question Examples of Present Simple :
| Present simple example sentences | |
|---|---|
| I've only got Saturday left before I have to move on Sunday. | |
| Do you like red or white onions? | |
| He wants to, but tonight it's impossible. | |
| I wake up and make my bed, then tidy my room. | |
| I don't want to stay in this house anymore! | |
| Look at the shelf, the price tag says £2.20 a kilo. | |
| Do you expect me to make the room bigger by pushing the walls out? | |
| That's why you can't find the answer! | |
| I'm on my way to Brighton, nearly there! | |
| I hope you are aware it's your last 3 days to find a house... | |
| I took Bear out and I'm just about to leave. | |
| Do you want the tray in the middle? | |
| 5 bedroom detached house on Lyme Street, £2,800, is that right? | |
| That's fine, I'm almost ready. | |
| Really? How do I wake you up? | |
| Who the f*ck is that, what's the time? | |
| Do you have a cigarette? | |
| I need to wake him up now! | |
| Oh no! Are you sure you don't have anything available? | |
| What genre do you listen to? | |